Marine artist Guy Harvey to design hull artwork for Norwegian Escape

Images of the Norwegian Cruise Line ship Norwegian Escape, which debuted in October 2015 and sails year-round from its home in Miami. The hull art is by Guy Harvey.

Arlene SatchellSun Sentinel

Well-known marine artist and conservationist Guy Harvey has been tapped to design the signature hull artwork for Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest ship launching in October 2015, the Miami-based cruise operator announced Wednesday.

Harvey, who has ties to South Florida’s tourism and ocean conservation sectors, unveiled his design for the 4,200-passenger Norwegian Escape during a press conference at the Cruise Shipping Miami conference.

The signature hull artwork for Norwegian Escape-- which will be based at PortMiami -- spans 1,065 feet in length and features two scenes with marine wildlife.

“Guy Harvey is the perfect artist to design Norwegian Escape’s hull artwork because he is so passionate about the sea and his marine artwork is so life-like and well recognized,” Norwegian's CEO Kevin Sheehan said, in a statement. “We also appreciate how [he] is focused on ocean conservation and keeping the marine environment pristine.”

Sheehan added that the cruise line also plans to help support the work of the marine conservationist’s Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation as it ties in with the company’s “strong commitment to the environment.”

Harvey’s Davie-based foundation funds inspired scientific research and innovative educational programs to encourage conservation and best management practices for sustainable marine environments, according to its website.

On Norwegian Escape, the foundation’s documentaries about endangered marine wildlife will be shown on guest room televisions to educate passengers about ways they can help with ocean conservation, the cruise operator said.

Harvey also spreads his conservation and eco-friendly messages through Guy Harvey OutPost Resorts, a Fort Lauderdale-based hotel branding company he co-owns.

From Miami, the new ship will sail year-round on seven-day sailings to the eastern Caribbean starting Nov. 14, 2015. Itineraries for the ship will go on sale March 19, Norwegian said.

For Harvey, who is best known for his gamefish T-shirt designs, Norwegian Escape will be his largest canvass to date.

“The larger than life paintings of popular but endangered marine creatures in the Caribbean will heighten public awareness about marine life,” Harvey said of his hull artwork design. “The large scale mural demonstrates the concern and respect that Norwegian and I have for the marine environment through which this ship will travel over the years.”